Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Acknowledged
Significant rise in children placed in unregistered homes with lengthy placement durations.
Conclusion
In recent years, the number of children reported to Ofsted as being placed in unregistered homes at some point each year rose significantly, from 147 during 2020–21 to 982 during 2023–24.20 More recently, the Children’s Commissioner found that as at September 2024, 775 children were in unregistered accommodation—around 10% of all children in residential care at that point on time—with the mean length of their placements longer than six months (185 days).21
Government Response Summary
Acknowledges that placing children in illegal settings that are not inspected is unacceptable.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2. PAC conclusion: It is unacceptable that children are placed in illegal settings that are not inspected, increasing safety risks and offering no assurance over the quality of care.